Developers Lose Battle To Build In Rural Seminole County Areas

September 9, 1986|By Mark Andrews of The Sentinel Staff

SANFORD — Residents of northwest Seminole County fighting to preserve the rural character of their neighborhoods scored three victories against would-be commercial developers before the county commission Monday night.

But the biggest land-use battle failed to take place as Heathrow Land and Development Corp. withdrew its request for a higher-density housing project on 485 acres just east of the Wekiva River.

No Heathrow representatives attended the meeting. However, a county planning official said the company apparently is awaiting the outcome of another developer's appeal to the state of the county's rejection last year of the 573-acre Plantation housing project on the Wekiva.

An advisory panel last month recommended the commission reject Heathrow's proposal to put 390 homes west of Markham Woods Road. Many of the homes would go on half-acre lots. County policy calls for a maximum of one home per acre in the area.

The commission turned down the owners of three parcels along State Road 46 west of Sanford who were trying to get a commercial designation for land zoned for agricultural and low-density residential use.

More than two dozen residents of the area attended a public hearing to oppose the requests, saying shopping centers and offices would be out of place in the rural area where they have built homes.

''I want the country atmosphere,'' said resident Lisa Park.

Residents also said that curving, two-lane S.R. 46 would be an even more dangerous place for motorists if driveways for stores were added.

Former County Administrator Roger Neiswender, a resident of the area, said land-use changes there should be put off until county planners complete a comprehensive review of land-use issues next year.

The commission rejected requests for a 7-Eleven and five other stores on 5 1/2 acres at S.R. 46 and Lake Markham Road; and professional offices on nearly 10 acres on Orange Boulevard south of S.R. 46. It also rejected a request to change the land use designation of 16 acres on Orange Boulevard to commercial.